“In the previous seasons we’d played a roll on roll off system, so everyone had to fight for their places, but Rhys was that good that I promised to let him start every game, i said, “you’ve earned your place, you’ll play every game” - that’s how I coaxed him to stay.

“Rhys would disrupt every session, but in a funny way. He’d start mud fights, and I’d be tearing my hair out.

“He was a lovely kid, he was happy-go-lucky, in all the photos of Rhys, he’s never smiling, he’d always have a sad face, which did not reflect Rhys.”

Steve carried on coaching the team for another six years, until most of the lads were reaching the age of 18.

Steve Geoghega was the football manager of Fir Tree under 14's, the team Rhys Jones played for before he was shot and killed walking back from football practice on August 22, 2007, when he was hit by a bullet fired by gang member Sean Mercer, then just 16. (Image: Andy Commins)

But the passing years, and a worrying sign of violence spilling over onto the football pitch, led to the social care worker calling time on the side he’d taken charge of for so many years.

Once, he said an opponent even threatened to “shoot” the youngsters in the team, in a row over a bad tackle.